The Swampland, Runoff and War Games maps are all on display in the new Titanfall: Expedition gameplay trailer.

It’s finally time for a real look at the Expedition DLC for Titanfall that was announced last month, thanks to a new gameplay trailer that serves up a brief glimpse of all three maps the expansion adds to the action. First up is Swampland, a sticky mess packed with tall trees that provide cover for Titans and unique movement opportunities for fleet-footed pilots; then comes Runoff, an industrial battleground with multiple tiers and long sightlines; and last but not least is War Games, a simulated battleground that demands innovative approaches to strategy and maneuver.

Titanfall: Expedition is the first of three planned DLC releases and will sell for $9.99 standalone or as part of the Titanfall Season Pass, which includes all three content packs for $24.99. Expedition is scheduled to come out for the Xbox One and PC later this month, and for the Xbox 360 in June.

]]>http://www.gamefront.com/respawn-releases-titanfall-expedition-gameplay-trailer/feed/0Respawn Details ‘Swampland’ Map for Upcoming Titanfall DLChttp://www.gamefront.com/respawn-details-swampland-map-for-upcoming-titanfall-dlc/
http://www.gamefront.com/respawn-details-swampland-map-for-upcoming-titanfall-dlc/#commentsFri, 09 May 2014 00:15:49 +0000Phil Hornshawhttp://www.gamefront.com/?p=272895Respawn is showing off the details of its first Titanfall DLC pack, but it'd be nice if the game was more complete and included more features first.

Explaining the ideas behind the map on the Titanfall blog, Swampland Level Designer Chris Dionne discussed the way the map shifted during the development of Titanfall and after:

“With Swampland I tried to add a unique experience to Titanfall while staying true to the original themes of the level, like overwhelming nature and its intersection with technology,” Dionne wrote. “This was a level born of heavy experimentation and iteration.”

The most notable thing about the map, it seems, are the huge trees that make up its center and primary theme. Players will be able to run along their trunks as Pilots and use them for cover in Titans, and the prospect of “jumping from tree-to-tree like ninjas” does sound pretty cool. Though the trees are big, they seem like they’ll provide a different wall-run experience from the usually straight masonry of man-made structures found in Titanfall’s other maps, which may well lead to some new experiences and strategies for players.

You can check out a quick making-of feature for Swampland in the video below.

While Swampland sounds cool and I’m interested in seeing new content flowing into Titanfall as a player of the game, I have to admit that I’m already annoyed at where Electronic Arts and Respawn seem to be going with their big new multiplayer shooter. Prepping to sell new content — well, new maps, and only three of them, for $10 — strikes me as a problem. That’s because Titanfall feels really, brutally unfinished, even today.

In order to thrive, a multiplayer-only game needs to bring out a diverse, expansive multiplayer experience, but at the moment, Titanfall comes up short in a lot of areas. It’s skimpy in terms of game types, and while there are lots of maps, there isn’t a ton of variety in how they’re played. The game is only slowly adding things like matchmaking that doesn’t completely suck (a new system was patched in after launch), the ability to play in private matches (also added post-launch), and other useful tooks like clan support and the like.

Selling off more content on Titanfall is all cart, no horse. It doesn’t really need more maps, it needs more ways to enjoy what’s there. Electronic Arts hasn’t released how many copies of Titanfall it has sold since launch, but if it wants the game to be a long-standing franchise to rival Call of Duty and other multiplayer shooters, the publisher and developer are going to need to treat players right before trying to nickel-and-dime them endlessly. Take the long view, EA, and settle in to making Titanfall as awesome as possible. Then worry about DLC. A continuously great game will bring players who want more, I promise.

The Expeditions DLC is the first of three planned expansions for Titanfall, and will run players $9.99 on Xbox One and PC. You can also snag a season pass for all three packs for $24.99.

]]>http://www.gamefront.com/respawn-details-swampland-map-for-upcoming-titanfall-dlc/feed/0Respawn Reveals Titanfall’s First DLChttp://www.gamefront.com/respawn-reveals-titanfalls-first-dlc/
http://www.gamefront.com/respawn-reveals-titanfalls-first-dlc/#commentsSun, 13 Apr 2014 15:19:32 +0000Stew Shearerhttp://www.gamefront.com/?p=270418Titanfall’s first DLC expansion will be called Expedition. Announced by Respawn during a panel at PAX East, the Expedition DLC...

Announced by Respawn during a panel at PAX East, the Expedition DLC pack will contain a trio of maps named Swampland, Runoff and Wargames. Currently, no price tag has been provided for the DLC but it has been confirmed that gamers who purchased the Titanfall DLC pass will receive Expedition as a part of their package. Expedition will release this May.

Outside of the Expedition DLC, Respawn has said that two more map expansions are being prepared for release at an unspecified future date. The studio likewise confirmed that a new 2-on-2 Last Titan Standing game mode will be added to the game for free at some point in the future. Players can also look forward to new Burn Cards and a planned “hashtag” system that, once implemented, they’ll be able to use to connect with other users possessing similar interests.

Respawn would go on to discuss potential future customization and competitive player ranks options that could someday come to the game. The studio has similarly stated that daily challenges and potential game mode alterations could also someday be added to its feature set. Sadly, the company neglected to provide any sort of timeline for these additions.

]]>http://www.gamefront.com/respawn-reveals-titanfalls-first-dlc/feed/0Respawn Announces Titanfall Matchmaking Changeshttp://www.gamefront.com/respawn-announces-changes-to-titanfall-matchmaking-system/
http://www.gamefront.com/respawn-announces-changes-to-titanfall-matchmaking-system/#commentsFri, 28 Mar 2014 03:45:03 +0000Stew Shearerhttp://www.gamefront.com/?p=268748Respawn has plans to update Titanfall’s matchmaking system to make better use of player skill data. The studio announced the...

Respawn has plans to update Titanfall’s matchmaking system to make better use of player skill data.

The studio announced the changes today in a post on the official Titanfall website. The alterations are being made to correct “a lack of variety” in teams that Respawn believes to be hurting the quality of matches. They will be based on information gleaned from the game’s back-end skill system and will include changes to the way the game picks opponents and organizes teams.

Concerning the opponent matching, Respawn explained that it intends to integrate lengthier wait times to allow the game “to build better teams.” The current system, comparatively, “[prioritizes] speed over quality,” something the studio believes has been detrimental to the game. Likewise, it will now “periodically split teams apart” when round after round statistics show that “one team is dominating” and the other team is consistently losing.

Respawn’s hope with these amendments is to create “games that are worth staying in” as well as “[ending] some of the frustration” that many of the game’s fans are experiencing with the default matchmaking. Players interested in testing out the new changes can do so “immediately” in an “Improved Matchmaking (Beta)” playlist now available in Classic MP. Based on the performance of the beta, the studio may expand the refined systems into other playlists.

Even with its massive mech action, Titanfall feels a little slim on content. We already knew Respawn would attempt to remedy that situation with paid DLC, but now studio boss Vince Zampella says there will be free new gameplay modes, as well.

Responding to a fan questions about Titanfall DLC on Twitter, Zampella said the first batch is in the works, but not quite yet done. That basic thread of tweets is where he also mentioned the free modes:

Still no release date on the first DLC, let alone these free modes, but Zampella did note that the first paid add-on will be $10. So at the very least, Titanfall won’t milk us for the now standard $15 for a map pack.

As for the new modes, I’d love to see Respawn go back to its Medal of Honor: Allied Assault days and bring back Tug of War.

Titanfall launched on PC and Xbox One on March 11th and, for days now, countless players have been throwing themselves into its experience. That said, as often is often the case with PC titles, the Titanfall player base has, unfortunately, come to include gamers with a willingness to cheat. Respawn has, in turn, attempted to assure its more honest players that it’s taking steps to handle the cheaters among them.

“Finding cheaters in Titanfall? So are we,” said the developer in a Tweet. “We’re logging them now and they will be rooted out shortly.” The studio further clarified that it will be focusing its efforts on players “using aimbots and such” and that “normal users won’t have to worry.”

Aimbots are a common cheat program used in many PC first-person shooter gamers to greatly enhance a player’s accuracy. Other reports have indicated that some cheats are also being used to enhance speed and to see enemies through walls. Respawn didn’t indicate whether or not it was also pursuing these. That said, we’ll be watching to see exactly what measures the studio takes to shut down confirmed cheaters.

Let us know if you find success with that fix or any others in the comments.

Original story:

It’s just a few short minutes since the launch of Respawn Entertainment’s ambitious multiplayer shooter Titanfall, but it seems like the launch is off to something of a rough start.

According to the @Respawn and @Titanfallgame Twitter feeds, some players on PC are dealing with connectivity issues — likely as many preorder players try to sign on at once. According to the tweets, Respawn is working on the issue.

We’re hearing that some PC users may be experience longer than usual load times. We are aware and working on a solution.

Just how much Respawn might be able to help players with the problem isn’t clear, however. Titanfall uses Microsoft’s Azure cloud infrastructure to allow players to connect online, and so the game’s dedicated servers are in Microsoft’s hands, as detailed in a report from Engadget.

As for us at GameFront, so far, I’ve had no luck connecting to Titanfall’s servers from my Los Angeles apartment.

Are you trying to play Titanfall tonight? Let us know how it’s going, good or bad, in the comments, and we’ll try to keep you updated with any more information.

Respawn Entertainment is readying a “live action epic” based in the Titanfall universe.

The project, which was revealed via a recently launched teaser site, will be made in collaboration with the film group Playfight which specializes in visual effects, animation and motion graphics among other things. Playfight, in the past, has been involved in post production work on Call of Duty’s Operation Kingfish and Rocket Jump’s Video Game High School series. According to Respawn’s Dusty Welch, the game studio is quite happy with this partnership.

“Titanfall is set in a rich near future universe with visceral, epic battles with pilots and their Titan companions,” he said in a statement.” We wanted to partner with Playfight, who has a history of delivering movies that meld gameplay, live action and stellar CG into truly entertaining media, for Titanfall.”

While the announcement didn’t say exactly what Respawn and Playfight have planned, it confirmed that it will be “original content” aimed at expanding the story of Titanfall. The teaser site, in turn, is currently counting down to midnight March 11th, after which we’ll have to assume more will be revealed.

With Titanfall’s launch only a week away, its developers at Respawn have released a new launch trailer.

The trailer, which runs just under two minutes, primarily highlights the title’s gameplay. What this means, of course, is a whole lot of giant robots blowing each other to pieces while ground soldiers leap, bound and bounce around several of the game’s maps. All in all, it’s exciting to watch and fast-paced, except, of course, for the portions displayed in slow motion to attain the optimal epic effect.

While the gameplay bits are definitely worth watching, some of the most interesting parts of the trailer are arguably the brief bits of story content it shows off. Respawn has made no secret of the fact that Titanfall will have no single player story campaign. That said, the company has also stated that the game will nonetheless feature heavy story elements that play out in its multiplayer matches. We’ve obviously seen glimpses of what this will mean in the past, but it’s still nice to see a bit more of it. Gamers, of course, will be seeing even more of the game when it finally launches on Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC on March 11th.

]]>http://www.gamefront.com/respawn-releases-titanfall-launch-trailer/feed/1Titans With Swords? Respawn Shares New Titanfall Detailshttp://www.gamefront.com/titans-with-swords-respawn-shares-new-titanfall-details/
http://www.gamefront.com/titans-with-swords-respawn-shares-new-titanfall-details/#commentsFri, 28 Feb 2014 14:47:52 +0000Mike Sharkeyhttp://www.gamefront.com/?p=265381The countdown to Titanfall’s March 11 drop from the sky is on, and as we get closer to launch, Respawn...

]]>http://www.gamefront.com/titans-with-swords-respawn-shares-new-titanfall-details/feed/0Respawn: Titanfall PC Will Have Aim Assist For The Controller Crowdhttp://www.gamefront.com/respawn-titanfall-pc-will-have-aim-assist-for-the-controller-crowd/
http://www.gamefront.com/respawn-titanfall-pc-will-have-aim-assist-for-the-controller-crowd/#commentsThu, 30 Jan 2014 00:37:52 +0000Devin Connorshttp://www.gamefront.com/?p=262153I have a love-hate relationship with Aim Assist in videogames. On one hand, I think it’s a necessary tool for...

I have a love-hate relationship with Aim Assist in videogames. On one hand, I think it’s a necessary tool for controller-only games on console, since precision aiming with a joystick is akin to filing taxes while having your teeth drilled out. On the other hand, it has no place on the PC, where precision aiming with a mouse is considerably easier to manage.

There’s a time and a place for controller Aim Assist — namely when a controller is the only input option — and Titanfall on PC doesn’t qualify. This could end up being a distinct advantage for controller players, instead of some sort of equalizer, which is what the team at Respawn probably thinks. Worse yet, it could lead to some pretty nasty, aimbot-style exploits, but that bit is pure conjecture.

What say you? Any interest in controller Aim Assist in PC games? Or should controller jockeys have to hone their skills without a boost? Flame away in the comments!

In fact, if you’re looking for additional details on Titanfall, stick around and listen to Respawn tweet. That’s where you can learn about microtransactions, a potential beta, streaming gameplay videos, downloading a digital copy on the Xbox One on launch day, and even dual-wielding weapons:

@ShaunKehoe no microtransactions. I don’t have any news on a season pass

Nice to see EA isn’t trying to force Titanfall DLC down our throats before the core game even launches (and we know that it works). Yes, that was a not-so-subtle jab at you, Battlefield 4. Well, at least not yet. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a Titanfall Season Pass for sale sometime within the next month-and-a-half before launch. Who am I kidding? Based on recent history, there’s basically a 99% chance there will be a Titanfall Season Pass and/or some type of ridiculous Premium membership.

Sigh.

Microtransactions, on the other hand, are apparently out. And that’s great news. Nice to know we won’t be facing opponents who have microtransacted their way through the ranks.

]]>http://www.gamefront.com/respawn-titanfall-alpha-trial-over-no-microtransactions-in-game/feed/0Respawn Struggling With Titanfall Marketinghttp://www.gamefront.com/respawn-struggling-with-titanfall-marketing/
http://www.gamefront.com/respawn-struggling-with-titanfall-marketing/#commentsTue, 14 Jan 2014 00:26:42 +0000Phil Owenhttp://www.gamefront.com/?p=259852Titanfall, the first game from Respawn, formed of refugees from Call of Duty creator Infinity Ward, has a huge profile,...

Titanfall, the first game from Respawn, formed of refugees from Call of Duty creator Infinity Ward, has a huge profile, and yet apparently Respawn has had trouble merketing it. Apparently, a multiplayer game with mechs from the creators of Call of Duty is difficult to explain to people, or so producer Drew McCoy claims on NeoGAF.

“Its actually been really tough trying to accurately market Titanfall. If you look at what we’ve done, its a lot different than what most FPS games do. Without a bunch of highly scripted SP moments to recam from different angles, the usual “movie like” trailer is just about right out. Instead, we’ve decided to show unedited gameplay segments that last 3-5 minutes (so far – more footage coming, of course!) to show the “flow” of the game. Starting as a Pilot, taking on AI and other player Pilots, wall running around a Titan, earning your Titan, climbing in, battling other Titans while stomping on humans, ejecting, etc. There’s a huge amount of gameplay mechanics available at any one time, and encompassing them in a few minutes is actually quite hard to do.

Its also why we took an extremely early pre-alpha build of the game to events like Gamescom, PAX, etc. to let normal dudes hands-on time with the game. There’s no amount of polished marketing that can replace playing the actual game.”

Ah, yes, it doesn’t have a solo campaign full of scripted sequences and so “usual” trailers aren’t an option, and they instead have to make gameplay vids and trailers, which are completely unprecedented. I’m rolling my eyes right now.

This is the trailer for Titanfal from Microsoft’s press conference at E3 last summer.

I do think that gets the point across. Explaining the ins and outs of the experience is what gameplay videos are for, which is why every AAA game has many of those. In truth, McCoy’s comment is very Levine-esque, in that it gives the impression Respawn is probably bunkered and not paying much attention to the rest of the industry. That’s not an insult, or it’s not intended as one; this comment doesn’t indicate anything about the quality of the game, so it doesn’t really matter that much. And it’s a common thing for creators, honing in so closely on what you’re doing that you forget to look outside occasionally.

]]>http://www.gamefront.com/respawn-struggling-with-titanfall-marketing/feed/0Respawn: Including AI, Up to 48 Fighters in a Titanfall Matchhttp://www.gamefront.com/respawn-including-ai-up-to-48-fighters-in-a-titanfall-match/
http://www.gamefront.com/respawn-including-ai-up-to-48-fighters-in-a-titanfall-match/#commentsFri, 10 Jan 2014 14:40:41 +0000Mike Sharkeyhttp://www.gamefront.com/?p=259635You’d think Respawn announced they were removing mechs from Titanfall, the way news of a max player count of 12...

Suffice it to say, the Internet was not happy. So much so that Respawn opted to perform a little triage on the gaping PR wound.

In an interview with Polygon, lead designer Justin Hendry explained the 6v6 decision in detail, pointing out that, with up to 12 AI players per side as well as six mechs in guard or follow mode per side, there can actually be as many as 48 combatants on a map at once (12 real people, 24 AI pilots, and 12 mechs in AI mode).

“It’s been this number for months,” Hendry told Polygon. “We are pretty avid players in the studio. People speak their minds and we listen and make changes. This is the number that felt best. The game is essentially built to be six on six.”

Why so many AI fighters? Why not replace them with real people and up the player count? Hendry said Respawn wants anyone to be able to jump into a Titanfall match and not feel like a n0ob. The AI pilots are much easier to kill and they also allow all players to build the experience points required in a match to call in a Titan.

“I’ve watched people come in and play the game that just don’t have the twitch reflexes,” Hendry said. “They’ll get in the Titan and have fun.”

Personally, I’m a shooter fan who cites Medal of Honor: Allied Assault and the first Call of Duty among my all-time favorites. I’m concerned about the possible ramifications of so many AI fighters, but those genre-defining games (not to mention CoD4) were created by the same folks who are now making Titanfall, so if they say 6v6 is the sweet spot, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. They’ve earned it and then some.

]]>http://www.gamefront.com/respawn-including-ai-up-to-48-fighters-in-a-titanfall-match/feed/0No Scoping ‘Ineffective’ in Titanfall, Says Respawnhttp://www.gamefront.com/no-scoping-ineffective-in-titanfall-says-respawn/
http://www.gamefront.com/no-scoping-ineffective-in-titanfall-says-respawn/#commentsTue, 31 Dec 2013 01:04:21 +0000Phil Owenhttp://www.gamefront.com/?p=258356Call of Duty may have popularized the no-scope and quick-scope moves, but in Titanfall — the new game from Respawn,...

Call of Duty may have popularized the no-scope and quick-scope moves, but in Titanfall — the new game from Respawn, which is made up of lots of former staff from Call of Duty creator Infinity Ward — ain’t gonna let you pull those moves, at least according to a Respawner on the game’s forums.

“Sniping is in the game, but due to how the game plays it’s a pretty different animal than you’ll find in your run of the mill modern military shooter. Quick scoping and no scoping are ineffective.”

And so, yes, in case it was not already clear, this multiplayer game that puts a heavy emphasis on mech usage is going to be very different from the Call of Duty standard. This is not Battlefield: Titanfall, after all.